Sweet Release by Pamela Clare

Narrated by Kaleo Griffith

When it comes to the writing/narrating team of Pamela Clare and Kaleo Griffith, I must admit to being a little late to the party. For the past couple of years, I’ve heard nothing but good things about her skilled writing and his nearly flawless narration. Finally, when Sweet Release, Book 1 in the Blakewell/Kenleigh series, became available for review, I decided to see what all the fuss was about. I’m sure glad I did.

Cassie Blakewell is a young woman with loads of responsibility, and a mountain of secrets. She’s struggling to keep her father’s Virginia plantation afloat without letting anyone know of her father’s illness. In 1730, most women are talking about fashion and raising children, but neither of these things is of the least importance to this unconventional, copper-haired beauty. Cassie’s father raised her to be resourceful and level-headed, something her neighbors just don’t understand.

Cassie isn’t fond of the slave trade, but she knows there’s no other way to keep the plantation alive. So, she prides herself on giving all who dwell on her land the best possible life. When she purchases the convict Cole Braden, everyone warns her against allowing the convicted ravisher and defiler of women to set foot on her land, but Cassie knows he’ll die if left aboard the ship that brought him to the colonies from England.

Alec Kenleigh awakens in a poorly constructed shack with vague memories of beatings, chains, and an old woman forcing foul potions down his throat. When he regains some of his senses, he realizes that he, the owner of one of London’s most successful ship-building firms, has been kidnapped, beaten, and sold into servitude. Who would wish him harm, and why hadn’t they just killed him, rather than sending him to Virginia?

Alec pleads his case to Cassie, telling her what she considers a highly unlikely tale. Still, there’s something about him that begs to be taken seriously. She allows the convict to write a letter to his brother-in-law, and contacts the local sheriff, to see if he can shed any light on his claims.

Over the next several months, Cassie and Alec are forced to fight their feelings for one another, and on a few occasions, they must fight to stay alive. Alec doesn’t only have enemies in England, and Cassie must do what she can to fight off the unwanted advances of a neighbor, while continuing to persuade everyone that her father is in England on business, leaving her in charge of the plantation. Can they overcome all odds and claim their HEA?

Kaleo Griffith is definitely a talented narrator. His voice is a little higher than I usually prefer, but this comes with some advantages, namely the ability to create believable female characters without reverting to an annoying falsetto. He is equally adept at portraying the men in the story. Each character was performed, regardless of age, gender, and ethnicity. This couldn’t have been an easy task. Ms. Clare penned a story full of very unique characters with vibrant personalities.

I was especially fond of Mr. Griffith’s depiction of Alec. He speaks in a resonant tone that falls in the lower end of his vocal range. When our hero and heroine are intimate, he speaks in a throaty purr that made me shiver. I could definitely understand why Cassie fell in love with Alec. He’s virile, strong, and one of the sexiest heroes I’ve had the pleasure of reading about in some time.

Only one minor character wasn’t portrayed well, and this does not detract from the story at all. Alec’s mistress, who we see in the prologue, sounds a bit too shrill for my liking. Otherwise, I was beyond impressed with the narration.

Sweet Release reminds me a lot of the historical romances written by people such as Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. At almost fifteen hours in length, I was able to lose myself in the story and stay that way for just the right amount of time. All characters, both the loved and the hated, were written and voiced in such a way as to bring them to life. I definitely plan to listen to more historical romance offerings from this very dynamic duo.

[section label=’Audiobook Information’ anchor=’Audiobook Information’]

Shannon

AUDIOBOOK INFORMATION

TITLE: Sweet Release

AUTHOR: Pamela Clare

NARRATED BY: Kaleo Griffith

GENRE: Historical Romance

STEAM FACTOR: For your burning ears only

REVIEWER: Shannon [button type=’link’ link=’http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Q3F4S04/?tag=audiogalsnet-20′ size=’btn-lg’ variation=’btn-default’ target=’blank’]Buy Sweet Release by Pamela Clare on Amazon[/button]